portraiture | joseph cummings chase

I bought the sketches, at a country auction, for the grand sum of $35. Taped to the back was the artist's bio, and a Life Magazine photo op - A middle-aged bon vivant, in a long-sleeved smock, with a palette in one hand, a brush in the other, and a cigarette dangling from his mouth; his gaze resting on an unfinished painting of a decorated officer. Ceremonious portraits are openly displayed, leaving little doubt that the shot is staged - whereas, the sketches are not. Housed in a cheap frame, these vintage scraps, reveal a cast of bygone characters, sketched on location. Their formal attire marks an era, while the elegant artistry spans decades.

"Joe" Cummings Chase (1878-1965), was "the official portrait painter of six presidents, back-stage sketcher of the performing artists, illustrator of children's books and fiction, carricaturist for newspapers and periodicals, lecturer, teacher, and author of nine books." Yet, he remains largely unknown.

David W. Hazen, staff writer of the Oregonian,

 and writer of the book, Interviewing Sinners 

and Saints 

Each semester, I introduce this master sketcher, during a class on portraiture, and we analyze his technique. It looks so easy!

Earl Chapin May (1873-1960) Historian and Biographer

This semester, I finally investigated these subjects online, though not extensively. If anyone would like to research further, please add the information in your comments. Thank you!

Unidentified

Frank Sheridan, Classical Pianist, on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music. (Now part of the New School.)

Frederick Starr (1858-1933), aka Ofuda Hakushi in Japan, 
Academic, Anthropologist, and "populist" educator 

William J. Guard (1862-1932) Journalist, Press representative 
for the Metropolitan Opera, NY

Charlie Paddock (1900-1943) American athlete and two time olympic champion in track and field